Electrostatic camera

ABSTRACT

An electrostatic copy apparatus including a cabinet with an upright container mounted therein. The upright container is connected to a front panel on the cabinet which can be pulled forward for providing access to the upright container. Paper is directed into the upright container and a liquid applicator applies liquid to the paper.

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yer, Daniel Rubin, Roderick W, T. Magesko, William E. Johnson and s m 6 H H m m M a as a m t M M U nn 1m k ea oe uha MSR mhr Mn mR o 790 Wm.P 667 r k 999 flw an 111 n, b 7W 561 m n am m no 33 Wm w 900 maW 59 M 23 333 H$A C n l m n E um M w9dx Am 9 .m F 2 2. 7 a a .l 4 .T n A3 MP-la r 7 ADD 0 m de N m m Tm .L n C m Dhwe l. flm L AFPA E8 HUN 4 n -247 5 [ill ABSTRACT: An electrostatic copy apparatus including a cabinet with an upright container mounted therein The upright container is connected to a front panel on the cabinet [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,821 4/1962 Wright which can be pulled forward for providing access to the upright container. Paper is directed into the upright container and a liquid applicator applies liquid to the p aper.

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75 57 Clyde M, Slavens -75 4 v 11v VEN TOR A T TORNE Y FIG. 6

V PA TENTED APR] 3197:

SHEET 3 OF 3 U n y I J I 29 28 28a Clyde M. Slavens IN VE N TOR BY fi A T TORNE Y ELECTROSTATIC CAMERA SUMMARY OF PROBLEM AND SOLUTION In electrostatic copy apparatus, a fundamental choice exists in the selection of either a dry process or a wet process. The wet process has certain desirable features which are not available in the dry process. However, the wet process is often considered undesirable except in circumstances where elaborate or complicated apparatus drys the paper and prevents spillage of the liquid toner. By and large, the solution to problems of spillage of the liquid heretofore have been implemented only in large equipment, especially nonportable equipment. Thus, small, lightweight liquid processers are not available and portable apparatus is difficult to obtain.

Many applications exist for portable apparatus. Typical of such applications is the mounting of portable electrostatic copy processing equipment in a truck or other vehicle for the gathering of field data as might occur in geophysical data collection. The present invention provides such an apparatus, and is summarized as incorporating an upstanding container for the liquid applicator within a cabinet which is mounted for upright posture when operative, and which also remains upn'ght when pulled from the cabinet for loading or threading paper through the various rollers. The container serves as a protective chamber for escaping liquid from the platen which bears against the paper as it moves vertically and administers the liquid toner through a closed circulation system to the full width of the paper, contact between the paper and the platen being assured by a plate on the opposite side of the paper bearing against the platen and having a universal mounting to thereby pennit the plate to ride and position itself to maintain a leakproof joinder between the paper and the toner platen. The apparatus further incorporates a unique charging system to provide adequate corona to the paper to avoid correlation problems between paper speed and sufficient corona to thereby obtain full or optimum exposure.

Other features of the present apparatus will become more readily apparent, and a number of objects and advantages thereof will be noted in the following specification from a consideration of the included drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a side view of the electrostatic printing apparatus illustrating the present invention in cooperation with a paper feed system and the optics system;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the apparatus extended to enable loading of paper and to further illustrate the present invention which maintains the liquid toner in a spillproof environment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional sectional view taken through the apparatus to illustrate details of construction of the liquid toner platen in cooperation with the various rollers and other paper handling apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the toner platen folded out from its normal recessed position;

FIG. 5 is a view from the opposite end of that shown in FIG. I, showing, in broken away portions, connections of the toner platen to the fluid circulating system; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the apparatus partly pulled from its retracted position of FIG. 5.

In the drawings, attention is first directed to FIG. 1. FIG. I shows the overall apparatus in side view, which is indicated by the numeral I0. The camera apparatus includes an optics system located in the upper portions, and which is indicated generally by the numeral 12. The electrostatic copy system cooperative with the optic system is generally indicated at I4 and is. in the present embodiment, located in the lower por tions. Generally, the optic system I2 is any apparatus adapted for use with the present invention. The present invention is particularly adaptable for oscillographic recordings in the form of a strip chart whereupon a light source forms a ray of light which is deflected by a mirror carried on an oscillograph, and through a lense onto the sensitive paper.

In FIG. 1, a schematic representation at represents a suitable light source cooperative with an oscillographic mirror I6 which focuses the light through an appropriate lense l7. Timing lines are generated by a blinking light 18 and are directed through the lense 17 by a fixed mirror I9. The light I8 is blinked at a regulated rate, perhaps 10 times per second, to form timing marks extending across the paper. Since the optic system is subject to variation, and further since the preferred embodiment is cooperative with optic systems well known in the art, it is believed unnecessary to further detail the structure of the optic system I2.

Considering now the electrostatic reproduction apparatus in detail, FIG. I discloses a case built on a lower plate 20 having a suitable backwall 21 and front wall 22. It will be noted that the front wall 22 is abbreviated and a pullout segment 23 having a handle defines the central portions thereof. The portion 23 pulls forward somewhat in the manner of a drawer as will be described hereinafter. The lower edge at 23a (see FIG. 2) is chamfered to form a cutting edge for the paper which emerges from the camera 10 and as shown in FIG. I, the cutting edge 23a recesses above an additional segment 24 to define a slot from which the paper emerges. In FIG. I, the paper is indicated by the numeral 25, and is shown in the slot just below the cutting edge at 23a. In the retracted position of FIG. I, the pieces 22, 23 and 24 are coplanar to thereby define the front face of the apparatus which is shown in side view in FIG. I.

The apparatus further incorporates a facing sidewall 26 which has the form shown in FIG. I and which rests on the bottom plate 20. In FIG. 2, the lower perimeter of the plate 26 has a cutout portion along the edge 26a which is complementary with the additional plate 27. In the retracted position of FIG. 1, the plates 26 and 27 cooperate to form a generally rectangular end wall. The are of curvature at 26a is particularly significant in that the plate 27 is able to be rotated forwardly in the manner to be described hereinafter, and for this reason, the curve at 26a best resembles an arc of curvature to permit rotation of the plate 27 as is evolved between FIGS. 1 and 2. However, more will be noted concerning this hereinafter. The opposite end of the apparatus is likewise formed with similar plates, not shown, which form the end wall like those shown in FIGS. I and 2.

Typically, a number of removable panels may be imple mented to provide access to the optics system 12 as a convenience to the operator. However, such have been omitted from the drawing for sake of simplicity.

Directing attention now to the electrostatic reproduction apparatus 14, attention is first directed to the mounting bracket 28 which receives a journaled rotatable shaft 29 which is fixedly connected to the plate 27. The shaft 29 provides an axis of rotation for the plate 27 as shown in FIG. 2. The upstanding bracket 28 is duplicated at the opposite end of the apparatus so that the extendable apparatus indicated generally by the numeral 30 in FIG. 2 rotates about the axis of the shaft 29. The mounting bracket 28 provides a pivotal connection for a parallel bar 281) which is located just inboard of the plate 27. Again, the bar 28!; is duplicated at the opposite end of the apparatus at the other mounting bracket. The bar 28b has the retracted position shown in FIG. I when the extendable means is folded and has the position shown in FIG. 2 for supporting the plate 27 and all the appended apparatus for easy access.

A suitable hole is drilled in the plate 27 and a shaft 31 is fitted therein and extends slightly inboard to connect with a plate 32. The plate 32 is pivotally joined to the bar 28b at 33. In FIG. 4, four pivot points are noted at 28a, 29, 31 and 33. The pivot points 28a and 33 are connected by the parallel bar 28b while the plate 27 extends between the points 29 and 31. The foregoing defines a parallel bar mechanism so that the member 32, which extends between the pivot points 31 and 33, remains parallel to the member 28 which extends between the pivot points 280 and 29. Thus, if the member 28 is maintained horizontal, the member 32 is carried at a parallel attitude during the rotative movement of the extendable apparatus 30, whether at the fully retracted position as shown in FlG. 2, or at some intermediate position. This aids in maintaining a consistently upright plate 32 in all positions. liy upright, the relative posture of the plate 32 with respect to the horizontal is maintained, and all apparatus connected to it is likewise maintained in the same relative posture. For instance, the plate 23 is ever perpendicular to the base plate in all positions, before or after movement.

Again, it will be appreciated that the apparatus described above is duplicated at both ends of the equipment 10 so that the plate 27 is duplicated, the parallel bar 28b is likewise duplicated, and the various pivot points described are likewise duplicated and coincident with the axes of the additional pivot points which are not shown in the drawings. The same numerals will be applied to the duplicate apparatus described hereinafter, although the pivotal equipment is symmetrically arranged about the centerline of the equipment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line through the central portions of the apparatus showing the route of the paper 25. A cutout slot at 27a in each of the two end plates is adapted to receive and support a spool of paper indicated by the numeral 40. The spool 40 carries a quantity of paper indicated at a in FIG. 3 which is wrapped around a hub 41. The total quantity of paper carried on the spool 40 can be quite substantial. Spools of paper are readily purchased, having l00 feet on the spool. A springlike member 41 presses a buffer surface 42 against the paper 25 as it is pulled from the spool 40 to maintain tension in the paper as it proceeds through the electrostatic camera 10. The surface 42 is contacted against the rolled paper 25a without regard to the fullness of the roll by the action of the spring member 41.

The paper 25 passes upward from the supply spool 40 and is slightly deflected in direction by a roller 43. The roller 43 is supported by joumaled shafts at each end which are indicated by the numeral 44 in FIGS. 1 and 2. A support plate 45 cooperates with the freewheeling roller 43 to position the paper adjacent the electrostatic charging apparatus.

Before considering the corona discharge apparatus, it should be noted that the paper is coated with a material which responds to the corona and subsequent exposure to light to thereby take an image, While several types of coatings for paper are well known, the present apparatus functions quite well with paper which is coated on the side facing the corona discharge apparatus with zinc oxide. The zinc oxide coating accepts a negative charge from the corona apparatus. Thus, the coated side of the paper 25 is facing the apparatus in dicated generally at 48. The corona apparatus 48 incorporates a support member 46 which is formed of a suitable rubber insulation or other nonconductive material. It preferably extends across the full width of the apparatus to position the support means in the proximity ofthe paper 25. More specifically, the support member 46 formed of a nonconductive material supports two circular members indicated by the numerals 47 and 49. They preferably have a metallic surface presented to a corona discharge conductor at 50. The corona discharge wires 50 are preferably quite small and fine and are located equadistant from the wall of the tubular members 47 and 49. The members 47 and 49 are cylindrical except for the cutout portion as shown in FIG. 3 to thereby focus the corona from the conductor 50 on the paper 25.

Operation of the corona means 48 should be considered in detail. Typically, a voltage in the range of about 3,000 to l0,000 volts is applied to the corona apparatus. Through the use of the two conductors as shown in FIG. 3, a lower voltage is permitted to thereby decrease the danger of the apparatus and to further permit a great range of operating speeds of the paper. The present apparatus has been found quite adequate at voltages approximating 3,500 to 4,500 volts experimentally.

Of course, other voltage levels can be used, but the suggested range is preferable to obtain sufficient charge on the paper 25. Discharge occurs from the single conductor 50 and is partially directed to the metallic tubular members which surround the conductor 50. The tubular members 47 and 49 are grounded so that any charge attracted to them is likewise grounded.

However, an ion spray passes through the slots formed in the tubular members 47 and 49 and is collected by the paper 25. It will be appreciated that the electrostatic charging means 48 extends fully across the width of the paper and even is preferably somewhat longer to evenly charge the full width. Charge is thus placed on the width of the paper as the paper moves through the electrostatic camera 10. In the embodiment described herein, the paper may be moved at many speeds while remaining sensitive to the light beam to be recorded. More specifically, paper sensitivity is a function of the electrostatic charge placed thereon. To obtain suitable saturation of the charge on the paper 25, the present invention utilizes both corona discharge members at all times. If only one corona device were used, adequate charge might be placed on the paper at one speed but an increase in speed would have to be correlated with a substantial increase in the corona discharge voltage. To avoid problems in controlling this interrelationship, two corona discharge devices are utilized as shown to provide a more than adequate charge at slow speeds and fast speeds. This further accommodates variations in sensitivity of the paper from batch to batch, it being appreciated that such variations occur occasionally to create problems of fine adjustment.

The roller 43 and the support plate 45 position the paper 25 at the desired location with respect to the corona apparatus 48. While the extendable means 30 carries the roller 43 and the plate 45 away from the corona charging means 48, they are positioned at the proper location when the apparatus is retracted as shown in FIG. 3.

The power supply for the corona means 48 is omitted from the drawings; however, it is believed within the scope of one skilled in the art to improvise a power supply for voltages in the range of approximately 3,000 to 10,000 volts DC.

The paper 25 next passes over a roller 53. The roller 53 is supported by rotatable shafts at each end which are carried in the plates 32 which comprise the major sidewalls of the extendable portion 30 to be described. That is to say, the roller 53 does not extend between the plates 27. More particularly, the roller 53 is supported by suitablejournaled openings in the plates 32 and is movable therewith. This is shown in FIG. 2. For convenience of assembly, the axis of rotation of the roller 53 can coincide with the pivot point 31 previously described. When the apparatus is extended, the roller 53 is located as shown in FIG. 2. However, HO. 3 shows the roller 53 immediately below the lense 17 which transfers the various optical signals from the optics section 12 (see FIG. 1) to the paper 25. As previously described, the optics section 12 converts electrical signals into suitable moving beams of light which write on the paper 53. This is a suitable mode of operation for a recording oscillograph. Of course, other methods of writing on the paper are known, and for such uses, other optical systems may be adapted. However, of significance is the position of the roller 53 with respect to the lense 17. The lense 17 extends fully across the width of the paper 25 and is preferably parallel to the roller 53. The light is transferred from the optical system 12 to the lense 17 and writes on the paper 25 as it passes over the roller and is pulled taut with the sensitive or coated side exposed to the light after the corona charge has been placed on the surface. The beam of light falling on the paper 25 discharges the electrostatic charge on the paper at the point of exposure. Through this means, the writing is completed. Also, the various timing lines are formed on the paper in like manner. Again, the technique of this is believed well known in the prior art.

The paper 25 passes over the roller 53 and into a tank which is indicated generally by the numeral 56. The tank is defined at its end walls by the parallel plates 32 and is somewhat greater in length than the width of the paper 25. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank is formed of the bottom plate member 57 and upstanding wall members 58 and 59. Each of the members 57. 58 and 59 is joined to the parallel plates 32. Thus, the tank has an upwardly opening mouth which remains ever upright as the apparatus is retracted or extended as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively. Thus, spillage from the tank is prevented when the extendable means 30 is pulled from the cabinet to load paper or for any other purpose.

It should be noted that the tank itself is not filled with liquid in normal operation. A small drain opening in the bottom central portions of the tank means 56 removes liquid which is spilled by the apparatus within the tank as will be described. Such spilled liquid is returned to the circulating system for the liquid toner as will be noted hereinafter.

The route of the paper 25 through the apparatus 56 will be first described, after which the function of the apparatus will be described along with the method of threading the paper 25 through the various rollers.

The paper 25 passes over the roller 53 as shown in FIG. 3 and extends downwardly to the tank means 56. The paper passes around a roller 60 near the bottom of the tank. The paper then moves upwardly as directed by a pair of cooperative rollers, including the hard surface roller (SI and the resilient surface roller 62. The roller 62 yields a squeegy" action on the surface of the paper 25 to remove excess liquid. The liquid is applied to the paper 25 as it passes between a pressure plate 63 and toner fluid applicator means 64. This apparatus will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

To keep in view the overall relationship as the paper 25 moves through the apparatus, the electrostatically charged surface ofthe paper is contacted against the resilient roller 60 and then moves upwardly as viewed in FIG. 3 facing the applicator means 64. The applicator means 64 applies toner fluid across the width of the face of the paper. The toner fluid provides both .a pigment and vehicle whereupon the pigment is electrostatically drawn to the paper at the point of reduced charge. It should be recalled that the paper is charged by the electrostatic means 48. The charge is thereafter reduced at a point by the light striking the paper from the optical system [2 (see FIG. I). Thus, a negative charge on the entirety of the paper is cancelled at points of exposure to light to provide, relatively speaking, a point of positive charge. When a negative pigment is carried in the liquid solvent of the toner, the negative pigment is attracted to the point of relative positive charge'to transfer sufiicient coloring to the surface of the paper to thereby form the imprint on the paper. The toner is exposed to the full width of the paper. All points of relative positive charge are exposed to the toner, and, of course, the intensity of the imprint formed is a function of the light intensity.

As the paper 25 travels upwardly, any excess liquid on the paper is wrung from the paper and falls back into the tank means 56. The paper then passes over the roller 61 and downwardly, passing adjacent the sidewall 59 of the tank.

In FIG. 3, the paper 25 next passes beneath a roller 68 and toward the slot 230. The roller 68 is preferably a hard surfaced roller which is freewheeling. The roller 68 is opposite the roller 69 which is a driven roller. The roller 69 preferably has a thin resilient coating on its outer surface so that the paper 25 is pinched between the two rollers to pull the paper 25 through the entire apparatus. The roller 69 is rotated and as it is driven, the paper feeds through the slot at 23a to be col lected, examined, or otherwise used.

The roller 69 is preferably a driven roller incorporating the gear 70 at one end. The gear 70 is driven by the gear 71 which is in turn driven by a gear box connected to a motor 72. The motor 72 is positioned and carried on a mounting bracket 73 as shown in FIG. 3. While the gears 70 and 71 are on the opposite end of the equipment and are somewhat obscured in FIG. 3, it will be appreciated that the motor and gear train arrangement herein defined drives the roller 69 to thereby pull the paper through the means I4.

The bracket 73 is secured between the end plates 27 and rotates outwardly therewith as shown in FIG. 2. However, the roller 68 is mounted on the bracket 680 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and is thus secured to the back side of the plate 23. Consequently, the roller 68 is separated from the roller 69 when the extendable means 30 is pulled forward as shown in FIG. 3.

This permits the paper 25 to be easily dropped between the separated rollers below the cutting edge 23a and above the angular paper guide 24a as shown in FIG. 3. Consequently, threading of the paper is quite simple.

Attention is next directed to FIG. 4 ofthe drawings which illustrates a front view of the toner application means 64. The rollers 60 and 62 are shown mounted on suitable shafts for rotation. The tank means 56 is likewise included and the bottom partition 57 is shown in sectional view. The parallel plate members 32 which define the end walls of the tank means 56 are likewise shown connected to the bottom tank wall 57.

The means 64 incorporates a central planar member 75. The member 75 is a generally rectangular member parallel to and spaced from the rollers 60 and 62. The member 75 is joined to a left-hand mounting bracket 76 shown in FIG. 4 and a right-hand mounting bracket 77. Each of the two brackets incorporates suitable ears such as the ear 76a shown at the upper end of the bracket 76 in FIG. 4. The ear positions an appropriately drilled hole for receiving the shaft about which the roller 62 rotates. This is duplicated at both ends of the rollers 60 and 62 so that a total of four ears support the two rollers as shown in FIG. 4. The end brackets may be formed integrally with the member 75 or may be joined thereto by any suitable means.

The left-hand end bracket 76 incorporates a protruding ear 76!) which extends over the edge of the end wall member 32 which defines the liquid toner tank means 56. The outer surface ofthe wall 32 carries a support member 79 which has the preferred form of a bifurcated upstanding member for receiving a pin or shaft 80 which passes through the ear 76b. The pivotal mounting 80 rotates the liquid toner applicator means 64 as shown in the dotted line representation in FIG. 4.

Attention is next directed to the end bracket 77 shown in FIG. 4. It will be noted that an appendage at 77a protrudes outwardly and beyond the plane of the end wall portion 32. In the operative position of FIG. 4, the appendage 77a bears against a manifold block 82 which has a number of ports therein whereby a sealing connection through the use of 0- rings or the like is achieved. More will be noted concerning the leakproof connection of the liquid toner applicator means 64 with the pump and circulation apparatus of the electrostatic camera I0.

In FIG. 3, a sectional view through the means 64 discloses the backing member 75 beingjoined to another piece, the first being of metal and the second preferably of some semirigid plastic contact pad as indicated at 84. There is no absolute requirement to utilize two portions to form the means 75; however, the use of a plastic material permits easier forming techniques to be used in manufacturing the apparatus as will be described. A channel 75e is formed in the backing plate 75 as shown in FIG. 3, and in communication with a passage 75f shown in FIG. 4. The channel feeds a distribution slot 840 opening into the front face of the means 84. As shown in sectional view of FIG. 3, an undercut trough is formed with a sloped lip for holding liquid toner to maintain a reservoir for application to the paper 25. A downwardly sloping lip 84b (see FIG. 4) permits the toner fluid to flow evenly against the width of the paper. It will be appreciated that the paper is preferably winder than the slots shown in FIG. 4 with slight surplusage at each edge.

The means 84 has an additional slot formed in it at 84c. The flat surface 84f between the two slots is slightly recessed from the plane of the remainder of the face of the means 84 to permit the fluid to trickle from the uppermost slot at 840 to the lower slot at 84c. This is shown in FIG. 3 in sectional view wherein the flat 84f is shown some few thousandths of an inch from the level of the rest of the face of the means 84.

In FIG. 3, the pressure platen 63 is shown contacted against the back side of the paper 25 as the paper is contacted by the liquid toner from the means 64. The toner applicator 64 is a generally rectangular plate preferably approximating the plate 84 in surface area. The pressure platen 63 is pivotally carried on a mounting arm 86 which rotates about a shaft carried in a support ear 87. The projecting lug or ear 87 is integrally formed with the wall portion 59 defining the means 56. At the lower end of the mounting arm 86 is located a limit screw 88 threaded through an opening in the arm 86 and locked in position to project a required distance from the arm 86 and to contact against the wall 59. A spring 89 urges the pressure plate 63 toward the paper 25. To prevent the pressure platen 63 from grasping the paper too finnly in response to the spring 89, the screw 88 is adjusted to limit the movement of the pressure platen.

In FIG. 4, the lower slot 84c is shown in fluid communication with a drilled passage 75g. The passage 75g is parallel to the passage 75f and begins at the right-hand end of the contact pad 84. This should be contrasted with the passage 75e (see FIG. 3) which is a continuation of the passage 75f. The passage 75e, as previously noted, feeds the slot 84a across the full width. The passage 75g communicates with a suitable pump which draws the fluid from the slot 84e back to the recirculation system as will be described hereinafter. The two passages 75f and 75g extend to the right into the end bracket 77 and turn downwardly as shown in FIG. 4. The bracket 77 has sufficient depth to permit one of the two passages to proceed behind the other to attain connection with the manifold block 82.

A suitable latch, omitted from these views for sake of clarity, secures the bracket 77 to the plate 32 defining the end wall of the tank means 56. The latch is closed to pull the means 64 snugly into the illustrated position and it opens to release them for rotation to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 4. The opening and closing of the means 64 permits threading of the paper. Tracing through a cycle of threading of the paper, the spool of paper is first mounted on the slots 27a as shown in FIG. 2 and the paper is threaded, coated surface up, over the roller 43 and the backing plate 45 (see FIG. 3). A loop in the paper is formed to provide suitable slack and the loop of paper is gently lowered into the slot vacated by the means 64, referring still to FIG. 2. This places the paper in proper location for the roller 53, and for the rollers carried on the means 64 when it is returned to its original position. The free end of the paper is then dropped downward behind the front panel 23 and behind the roller 68 as shown in FIG. 2. At this juncture, the means 64 is rotated from the dotted line position of FIG. 4 to entrap the roll of paper in the slot and the rollers 60 and 62 are brought into operating proximity of the rollers 53 and 61 (see FIG. 3). At this juncture, the paper is fully positioned with respect to the tank means 56 for application of the liquid toner. The extendable means 30 (see FIG. 2) is then retracted to the position of FIG, I whereupon the apparatus is ready to function. That is to say, the paper is then positioned with the sensitive surface exposed to the corona means 48 as shown in FIG. 3, and is likewise positioned to receive the light writing from the optic system 12 and through the lense I7. The paper then passes through the liquid toner applicator means which completes its development and is pulled downwardly by the drive roller 69 and the idler roller 68 and out through the slot at the face of the apparatus. In this process, several things should be noted. The toner applicator means 64 applies the toner to the paper in a zone which has width equal to the slot 840 and the sloping lip 84b and further permits the liquid to trickle down the face of the paper to the lower slot. Thus. a substantial quantity of liquid is applied to the sensitized face of the paper. However, the paper is moving upwardly toward the upward slot which administers the liquid. The upward movement tends to keep the liquid in the upper slot, although some portion does reach the lower slot for evacuation and recirculation. As the paper passes from immediately adjacent the pressure platen 63, it is essentially dry. However, to assure complete dryness, the roller 62 preferably has a resilient material on it and in cooperation with the hard surface roller 61, tends to dry the paper even further whereupon any liquid on the sensitive side of the paper is squeezed by the roller 62 and runs back down into the tank means 56. Thus, the paper passes over the roller 61 and is, for all intents and purposes,

dry and does not need to be passed through a heat chamber for curing as in other apparatus.

Note should be taken of the fluid flow system for the liquid 'toner. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrostatic camera I0 is shown from the opposite end wall wherein the plate 27 is partially broken away to show the manifold 82 carried on the inner face of the wall 27. The manifold 82 as shown in FIG. 5*incorporates a pair of spaced holes which communicate with suitable passages in the fluid distribution system. Suitable seal means, such as O-rings recessed in the upwardly facing surface of the manifold 82, mate against the bracket 77 on the means 64 to provide a fluid-proof connection between the two members as they are contacted one against the other as shown in FIG. 5. It must be remembered that the means 64 remains ever vertical as shown in FIG. 6 whereas the plate 27 rotates through and therefore, the manifold 82 pulls away from the lower face of the bracket 77 at the end of the means 64. In FIG.- 5, the manifold 82 is shown with a pair of fluid conduits connected to openings in the end wall 27 at 88 and 89. The openings 88 and 89 are adapted to be connected to a fluid distribution system including a pump, filter, reservoir, and pressure regulator apparatus. Such apparatus is preferably located below the bottom plate 20 and is connected with the openings 88 and 89 by flexible tubing. The lower portions of the tank means 56 are preferably drained through an opening into additional flexible tubing which likewise returns to the reservoir cooperative with the fluid distribution system. It is believed that the liquid toner apparatus is sufficiently described herein to enable connection of such cooperative apparatus with the present invention.

In FIG. 6, the extendable means 30 is shown partly extended to the position of FIG, 5. The parallel bar arrangement previously described will be noted functioning in FIG. 6 to maintain the plate 32 and the front panel 23 in the upright posture to thereby maintain the liquid toner apparatus in the posture desired. More particularly, it will be noted that the manifold 82 is pulled away from its connection at the bracket 77 at the end of the liquid toner means 64. Separation of the two means interrupts liquid toner distribution to the means 64. Termination of pumping permits the liquid to flow back to the reservoir so that little or no liquid remains in the various passages of the means 64 and spillage is no particular problem.

Another feature which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 is the latch 90 securing a latch bar 91 extending from the means 64. The latch 90 is mounted on the end plates 32. The latch is released when the means 64 is lifted as shown in FIG. 4, but it is maintained locked at other times.

From the foregoing it is believed that the electrostatic camera 10 of the present invention has been described and the inventive features thereof noted. The electrostatic camera 10 is particularly adapted to be used in trucks or small oceangoing craft likely to encounter substantial agitation and movement in all directions. By way of example, the electrostatic camera 10 is adapted for use in geophysical prospecting in which a substantial quantity of data is generated in the field and must be recorded on the spot. The electrostatic camera 10 is particularly adapted for these purposes. In land operations, geophysical data is obtained by driving a truck through rugged terrain and offshore data is typically obtained by a small boat subject to tossing and rolling in the ocean, In either example, the present invention performs quite well as a rather compact and rugged unit.

While many adaptations and modifications of the present invention readily suggest themselves from a consideration of the foregoing specification, the scope of the present invention is determined by the claim appended hereto,

Iclaim:

1. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the sur face to the liquid;

d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; and

e. a generally upwardly facing open receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface;

f. means connected to said receptacle for transporting said receptacle from an enclosed first position to an exposed second position;

g. said transporting means carrying said receptacle from the first position to the second position in a generally upright posture to avoid spilling of the liquid therefrom.

2. The invention of claim 1, including first and second roller means in operative proximity of said open receptacle for guiding the surface into and from said open receptacle.

3. The invention of claim 2, including third roller means cooperative with said first and second roller means for directing the surface with respect to said applicator means.

4. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus fonning an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid;

d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means;

e. an upwardly facing receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface;

f. said receptacle being mounted in a first position within a cabinet;

g. means connected to said receptacle for extending and retracting from the first position within said cabinet to a second position outside of said cabinet wherein in said second position the receptacle is exposed for ease of access; and

h. said extending means carrying said receptacle from the first to the second position in a generally upright posture to avoid spilling of the liquid therefrom.

S. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus fonning an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying the liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid;

d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means;

e. a first roller means;

f. a second roller means;

g. said liquid applicator means being positioned between said first and second rollers and cooperating with said pressure means;

h. means for mounting said applicator means for withdrawal from an enclosed position between said first and second rollers to an exposed position for ease of access; and

i. said applicator means being sufficiently withdrawn from said enclosed position to permit a loop of the surface to be formed in the space between said first and second roller means.

6. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid;

d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means;

e. a supply spool for providing a strip of recording paper as the surface;

f. a corona discharge means for placing an electrostatic charge on the recording paper;

g. an optical system for writing on the recording paper;

h. a first roller means over which the recording paper passes;

i. a cabinet mounting said first roller means;

j. extendable means cooperatively recessed within said cabinet and carrying said first roller means to an extended position outside said cabinet for ease of access to the recording paper; and

k. said liquid applicator means mounted within said cabinet and being carried by said extendable means to an exposed position outside said cabinet for ease of access to the recording paper;

I. said extended means carrying said liquid applicator means in an upright manner to avoid spilling liquid therefrom.

7. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid;

d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means;

e. an upwardly facing open receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface;

f. a cabinet mounting said receptacle therein;

g. movable mounting means connected to said receptacle, said means having a first position at which said receptacle is recessed within said cabinet;

h. said mounting means moving said receptacle from the recessed position within said cabinet to an exposed position from said cabinet; and

i. said mounting means having a first pivot point and a second pivot point, an elongate means connected between said pivot points and including means maintaining said receptacle in the upwardly facing attitude at positions intermediate the recessed and exposed position to avoid spilling the liquid therefrom.

8. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising:

a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon;

b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface;

c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid;

(1. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into h. said liquid applicator means being carried by said support means from a first position within said cabinet to a second position outside said cabinet on pulling said front panel forward; and

i. said support means carrying said liquid applicator means to said second position in the same attitude to the horizontal that it assumes at said first position. 

1. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive mEans for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; and e. a generally upwardly facing open receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface; f. means connected to said receptacle for transporting said receptacle from an enclosed first position to an exposed second position; g. said transporting means carrying said receptacle from the first position to the second position in a generally upright posture to avoid spilling of the liquid therefrom.
 2. The invention of claim 1, including first and second roller means in operative proximity of said open receptacle for guiding the surface into and from said open receptacle.
 3. The invention of claim 2, including third roller means cooperative with said first and second roller means for directing the surface with respect to said applicator means.
 4. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; e. an upwardly facing receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface; f. said receptacle being mounted in a first position within a cabinet; g. means connected to said receptacle for extending and retracting from the first position within said cabinet to a second position outside of said cabinet wherein in said second position the receptacle is exposed for ease of access; and h. said extending means carrying said receptacle from the first to the second position in a generally upright posture to avoid spilling of the liquid therefrom.
 5. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying the liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; e. a first roller means; f. a second roller means; g. said liquid applicator means being positioned between said first and second rollers and cooperating with said pressure means; h. means for mounting said applicator means for withdrawal from an enclosed position between said first and second rollers to an exposed position for ease of access; and i. said applicator means being sufficiently withdrawn from said enclosed position to permit a loop of the surface to be formed in the space between said first and second roller means.
 6. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to Said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; e. a supply spool for providing a strip of recording paper as the surface; f. a corona discharge means for placing an electrostatic charge on the recording paper; g. an optical system for writing on the recording paper; h. a first roller means over which the recording paper passes; i. a cabinet mounting said first roller means; j. extendable means cooperatively recessed within said cabinet and carrying said first roller means to an extended position outside said cabinet for ease of access to the recording paper; and k. said liquid applicator means mounted within said cabinet and being carried by said extendable means to an exposed position outside said cabinet for ease of access to the recording paper; l. said extended means carrying said liquid applicator means in an upright manner to avoid spilling liquid therefrom.
 7. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; e. an upwardly facing open receptacle for receiving and retaining the liquid for forming an image on the surface; f. a cabinet mounting said receptacle therein; g. movable mounting means connected to said receptacle, said means having a first position at which said receptacle is recessed within said cabinet; h. said mounting means moving said receptacle from the recessed position within said cabinet to an exposed position from said cabinet; and i. said mounting means having a first pivot point and a second pivot point, an elongate means connected between said pivot points and including means maintaining said receptacle in the upwardly facing attitude at positions intermediate the recessed and exposed position to avoid spilling the liquid therefrom.
 8. For use in an electrostatic reproduction apparatus forming an image on a surface utilizing a liquid in the image forming process, the improvement comprising: a. applicator means for applying liquid to a surface to form an image thereon; b. said applicator means contacting the liquid against the surface; c. motive means for moving the surface with respect to said applicator means to expose additional portions of the surface to the liquid; d. pressure means causing the surface to bear against said applicator means for urging said applicator means into leakproof contact against the surface as it moves in response to operation of said motive means; e. a cabinet; f. a front panel in said cabinet adapted to be pulled forward; g. pivotally mounted support means carried at opposite sides of said cabinet and rotatably connected to said front panel to rotate forwardly from said cabinet on pulling said front panel forward; h. said liquid applicator means being carried by said support means from a first position within said cabinet to a second position outside said cabinet on pulling said front panel forward; and i. said support means carrying said liquid applicator means to said second position in the same attitude to the horizontal that it assumes at said first position. 